Many theme parks around the globe (including Disney Parks) have reopened with additional health and safety measures, including a requirement that face masks be worn at all times, with a few exceptions for eating or drinking.
But, as more people are able to be vaccinated, we’re beginning to see some changes to those policies. Disney World recently relaxed its face mask policy to allow guests to remove their masks when taking photos, and the Mayor of Florida’s Orange County is considering relaxing mask and distancing policies in the near future. And now a major theme park in the U.S. has announced a major overhaul of its health and safety policies.
According to their website, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood (located in Tennessee) has relaxed its face mask policy and eliminated mandatory temperature checks at the entrance of the park as of yesterday, April 12th.
Now, face masks are optional for guests when they are in outdoor areas where social distancing can be maintained. There are a few exceptions to this new rule, as Dollywood will still require that guests wear face masks in ticketing areas, at the park entrance, on rides and trams, in queues, in all indoor areas, and where guests cannot maintain social distancing outdoors. And, employees will continue to wear face masks at all times.
Dollywood had already allowed guests to remove their face masks if they were 1 or younger or if they were actively eating or drinking, taking photos, swimming or on a water ride, or while sitting in a lounge chair at the water park.
In addition to the face mask changes, Dollywood will no longer require temperature screenings for guests as they enter the park, though guests and employees must take a self-assessment prior to entry. All of these changes are now reflected on the Dollywood website.
We will continue to keep you updated as the health and safety measures develop within the theme parks, including at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Stay tuned to AllEars for the latest!
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Have you ever been to Dollywood? Let us know in the comments!
Definitely a step in the right direction, but they need to be optional. Masks are the one thing keeping my family from going to a theme park. I m sure we are not the only ones. Their revenue will rise exponentially if they make masks optional.
This is another step in the right direction, but honestly we need to eliminate masks completely.
Agree 100%
I totally agree. I’d rather keep the distancing rule over the mask rule. I like not having people all up on me. The masks should be completely optional. I’ll take this head in the right direction though! I’ll be at Dollywood in December and hopefully by then they will be gone! Disney needs to follow suit!
Common sense rules
Yay, it is about time.